2026 NWAC Hall of Fame Inductee: Rashinda Reed, Southwestern Oregon Community College, Volleyball Player
Rashinda Reed came to Southwestern Oregon in 2000, a native of Fairbanks, Alaska. She started out like any other volleyball player. She was a team member, working on skills. She powered up and soon was a star player, learning with coach John Speasl. Returning in fall 2001 for a second year, Reed honed her blocks and digs. Early in the season at a California tournament, voters deemed her Most Valuable Player.
After netting win after win, community sportswriters started calling Reed the Lakers best offensive player. "One is dominant because of her sheer power." That was the lead sentence on a season finale story in October 2021 praising power-hitter Rashinda Reed. At 6-foot-1, she helped the Lakers advance that year into the NWAC playoffs. Reed claimed fame as an NWAC all-star.
After Southwestern Oregon Community College, she went on to play for the University of Georgia Bulldogs. After completing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2005, she played professionally in Europe. She continued her studies there, too, at universities in Hungary and Austria.
Reed returned to the States and started her coaching career as an assistant at the University of Southern Indiana (2009-11). During her tenure, the Screaming Eagles reached the NCAA Division II Tournament. From 2011-14, Reed assistant-coached the Binghamton University Bearcats volleyball team, which won the American East Conference Championship in 2012.
Reed was not all about winning. She coordinated the Bearcats' summer camp, immersing 200 youth in athletic training. At the time, she also directed a volleyball club, overseeing 14 coaches and 140 athletes.
By 2016, Reed had her first job at the University of Alabama as an assistant coach. She was the main recruiter and, again, took on management of a summer camp that engaged 800 young athletes. Her dedication paid off soon enough, with a head volleyball coaching post at Northern Michigan University from 2016-17 and then five seasons with the University of Illinois, as an assistant coach. There her team made it into the NCAA Sweet 16 twice, and eventually the NCAA National Semifinals.
Today, Coach Reed is much watched as the University of Alabama's Head Volleyball Coach since December 2021. The following year her team was ranked in the top 3 in the SEC in aces and digs.
Find more info and get your tickets to the induction ceremony taking place on June 4th at the Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel at: https://nwacsports.com/halloffame.
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